What is different about Terry Ragins?

By Terry L. Ragins

Four aspects separate Terry from other candidates and make her the best choice for Torrance School Board

1. First, I am committed to Torrance as a wonderful community in which to raise healthy capable children having lived here the past 16 years, with no plans to move. I live here, vote here, and love it here in Torrance.

I am firmly invested in working to support and improve Torrance School District. I have had 2 of my own children in Torrance public schools for 11 years. My #1 Goal is to promote excellence in our schools and to provide the best possible teachers, materials, and instruction available.

I have actually made good things happen for our Torrance Schools and I will continue to advocate for the children of Torrance...on the school board...or as an active parent. Kids are why I am here!

2. Second, I have worked and will continue to work to bring good things TO Torrance School District, rather than taking away from what the district has to offer and what the district can afford to provide.

My 8,500 hours of volunteer work translates to at least $85,000 worth of service hours that I have donated TO the district. And with my degree in Occupational Therapy, that would translate to over a quarter of a million dollars in professional time. And that is just the volunteer time I have donated. I sought and received a $10,000 grant from Prop 10 that supported training middle school student to be safe babysitters. I have also implemented award winning PTA programs related to literacy and Red Ribbon Week anti-substance use activities.

Another goal of mine is to seek and pursue more private and government grants and donations for important art and music programs. I have experienced the benefits of Adventures in Art as a docent for 5 years, and seen first-hand this year's dramatic rise in band fees that was necessary to keep the music program operating. We can't afford to let our students go without the Arts!

3. Third, I have been interested in the Torrance School Board for three years, and have attended almost all of the meetings and Board workshops in that time. I have become a communicator/liaison between the School Board and the community, and an information source about the functions of the School Board. I am an advocate for students, parents, and community members, seeking their opinions about issues, and encouraging the public to provide feedback to school board members.

I am already working to improve teacher/parent/school board communication, an important goal of mine.

4. Fourth, I have both a bachelor's and a master's degree in Occupational Therapy, and have been a university instructor. I have expertise about education AND health and mental health issues, as well as disabled and gifted education concerns. My fourth goal is to provide a safe, secure, drug-free campus for all students.

Kids are truly why I am here!

I feel privileged and proud to be a candidate for school board and hope that I will have the opportunity to represent you, the residents of Torrance.

Please vote for Terry Ragins for School Board on Nov. 4.